Recently, the Two Rivers Tribune published a report about students protesting a local youth center. According to the article, dozens of students took part in voicing their concerns over mold issues and other matters they faced in their schools.

This is not the first time mold issues at the district have made the news. Back in February, the school district’s superintendent announced that all schools within the district would be closed for a week after the discovery of mold.

Ongoing mold issues in schools across California can expose students and faculty to elevated levels of mold in the air they breathe. Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues due to mold exposure can create a myriad of potential health concerns. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and can even trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to mold. As an irritant, mold can impact the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to it.

Breathing in mold may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a disease that resembles bacterial pneumonia. In addition, there are some types of mold associated with water-damaged buildings that can cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“Students and faculty should be able to teach and learn in an environment that does not expose them to high levels of mold or other IAQ pollutants,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To identify indoor environments with mold issues, LA Testing offers mold analysis, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits. If a problem is found through testing, the appropriate remediation efforts can then be put in place to ensure a healthy environment for all building occupants.”

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.